What happened that night….
"I want you to have fun tonight, Will," Xander said. "Gamble. Drink. Make merry."
Xander could see that Buffy and William were staring at each other. Still. He knew he had to remain patient. That his entire plan could still go sideways at any moment. He sent a subtle signal to his assistant-of-the-month. It was her cue to step in.
What's her name was placed a gentle hand on William's back. And began hustling him out of the room. By now, Buffy was staring into the fireplace. William looked like he was having an out of body experience. Xander knew he needed one final push. To get William out the door.
"Nothing will happen that Buffy doesn't want to," Xander said. "And that's a promise."
Xander now folded one leg up. And threw his hand over the back of the sofa. He watched as William was ushered into the Penthouse elevator. Which then began descending to the bottom floor. Leaving just him and Buffy.
Xander now turned his attention to Buffy. Who was still staring into the fireplace.
"Alone at last," Xander quipped.
Buffy said nothing. She could feel Xander's eyes on her. It felt surreal. All of it. Somehow, it hadn't sunk in yet. Just what she'd signed up for.
"So…." Buffy began. Then hesitated.
"Shall we…" Xander began. Buffy prepared herself. For what she was sure would happen next.
"View the painting?" Xander asked.
Buffy's neck snapped around. So fast it nearly spun off her head.
"The what?" she asked. Staring at him. Goggle-eyed.
"The Monet," Xander said. "On loan from the British Museum."
"Wait," Buffy said. She took a deep breath. "So there really is a painting?"
"Of course," Xander said. With a little smile.
"I thought…" Buffy began.
"You thought….what exactly?" Xander asked.
Xander knew what Buffy had thought. That it was simply a line. To get into her pants. Which, to be fair, it was. But it was also a lot more than that.
"Shut up," Buffy said. Blushing now, she fidgeted with her hair.
A moment passed. Buffy couldn't help herself.
"So, where is it?" she asked.
"In the master bedroom," Xander said. Smoothly.
Buffy now folded her arms. And scoffed.
Of course it was, Buffy thought.
"My guys are setting it up as we speak," Xander said. Leaning towards her. "So in the meantime…."
The billionaire now trailed off. Suggestively.
"Yes?" Buffy asked. Icily.
"I was thinking," Xander began. Looking her up and down. "You and I could…"
"Spend some quality time together?" she asked. Sardonically.
Xander smiled.
Later…
Buffy glanced at the clock in the corner of the suite. They'd been on the sofa for nearly an hour.
She was clutching her champagne glass in her right hand. Her left hand was on the top of the sofa. Supporting her head.
Xander was currently talking about his thoughts on the Old Masters. Buffy had grudgingly found herself impressed. The billionaire was an extremely savvy collector. Unlike many other rich people who thought her field was their playground.
Buffy found herself wondering why Xander hadn't yet made a move on her. She'd expected him to try something as soon as William was out of sight. Maybe gloat a little first. Mock her husband. And finally to try to have it off with her. Right there and then on the couch.
Yet, he'd done no such thing. Instead, they'd talked. About their lives. Their careers. Their shared love of art.
Until Buffy had almost forgotten about why she was here. Then, she remembered.
You're gonna sleep with him, she thought to herself. For money. You know what that makes you.
It left a bitter taste in her mouth. Which she washed out with a sip of the champagne.
"Uh-huh," she said. After he made some point emphatically. "Agreed. Totally."
He responded by extending his champagne glass towards hers. Buffy mimicked his actions. Their eyes met as glasses clinked together. Softly. Xander now downed his champagne in one go, then placed his glass on the table. Deliberately. Buffy now took a dainty sip.
"You know," Xander said. He scooted a little closer to Buffy. He threw his arm around her. Until they were right next to each other. He threw his hand on the sofa behind her.
"Hmmm?" she asked. Taking another sip.
"You're very sexy," he said.
Buffy blushed. She didn't know what to say to that.
"Thank you," she mumbled. Dropping her eyes from him.
Now, Xander reached out. And gently pried the champagne glass from Buffy's hand. And placed it on the table in front of them.
Buffy now placed her hands in her lap. Suddenly, her heart rate was quickening.
"I haven't been able to take my eyes off you all night," Xander said. His eyes grew darker as he surveyed her now. Languidly. "You know that, right?"
Buffy nodded. Demurely.
"I know," she said. Softly.
Suddenly, Xander reached out. And placed a gentle hand on her thigh. Buffy took in a deep, shaky breath. Then his right hand had moved from the sofa to her lower back.
"C'mere Buff," Xander said.
Before Buffy could respond, Xander had pulled her close. And into his arms.
Xander now sought Buffy's lips. Only to find her turning her face away from him. But Xander was undaunted. He bent his head instead. And began planting soft kisses on Buffy's neck. Caressing her thigh as he did.
"W….wait," Buffy gasped. Her hands moving to his chest. To stay him.
"Hmmmm?" Xander asked.
"There's…..there's something I need to say," Buffy said.
Xander exhaled. Loudly. Then raised his head. To see she was wearing a determined expression. He lay back on the couch. Sighing heavily.
"We… we have to be clear," Buffy said. "About what this is."
Xander gave an expectant look.
"We….we're just gonna fuck," Buffy said. Emphatically."That's all."
"We certainly are," Xander said. Grinning.
Buffy sighed.
"I'm saying," she began. "That this is just sex. That's all. Nothing more. I love my husband. Nothing will change that. Is that clear?"
Xander regarded Buffy carefully.
"Crystal," Xander said. A moment later, he'd gotten to his feet. And extended her his hand.
"Come on Buff," he said. "Let's go see about that painting, shall we?"
Buffy hesitated. Now, giving her his hand, allowed him to pull her to her feet.